Reliving the Golden Era of Radio: Living Room Theatre’s Enchanting Tribute to Ameen Sayani

For many of us, growing up, stories of Ameen Sayani — India’s pioneering radio superstar — were woven into the fabric of our childhood. In an era predating the internet and widespread television, radio served as the primary window to information and entertainment. It was within this vibrant soundscape that India found its very first radio jockey, a voice that would become synonymous with a golden age of broadcasting. Ameen Sayani is fondly remembered for his iconic, joyful greeting: “Namaskar, behno aur bhaiyon! Mein aapka dost Ameen Sayani bol raha hoon” (Greetings, my sisters and brothers! This is your friend Ameen Sayani speaking). For an incredible 42 years, he wasn’t just a voice; he was the nation’s quintessential ‘Radio Man’.

Over these four remarkable decades, Sayani hosted an astounding 54,000 radio programmes and recorded more than 19,000 jingles. His immense popularity stemmed largely from his ability to connect with audiences through simple, relatable language. Beyond interviewing renowned music directors, lyricists, and film stars, Ameen Sayani also championed crucial social campaigns, advocating for children’s rights and raising awareness about HIV/AIDS. His career saw him receive an incredible 65,000 song requests via letters and postcards, and his celebrated show, Binaca Geetmala (broadcast on Radio Sri Lanka’s shortwave), introduced an entire generation of listeners to the diverse sounds of India.

In a heartfelt effort to bestow upon this legend the recognition he truly deserves, Delhi’s esteemed Living Room Theatre has crafted a fitting musical tribute based on his extraordinary life. Titled The Radio Man, the play unfolds as an engaging interview with Ameen himself, revealing the journey of this freedom fighter’s son, who grew up in Bombay. Veteran artist Sarita Vohra meticulously scripted and directed the production shortly after Sayani’s passing in February last year. Her dedication involved extensive research, watching every available interview on YouTube and poring over numerous articles. “A friend of mine knew Ameen’s son and niece. Through them, I clarified certain facts about how, when and where Radio Ceylon started,” she shared.

Composer and singer V. P. Mishra skillfully arranged the music for the play, curating a selection of popular tunes from the golden years between 1954 and 1994. These timeless melodies are performed live by Living Room Theatre’s talented in-house actors and singers, making the play not just an ode to India’s original ‘Radio Man,’ but also a nostalgic journey through a cherished era of music. The production boasts a remarkably diverse cast of approximately 20 individuals, ranging in age from 18 to over 80. This talented ensemble includes defense veterans, lawyers, AI experts, professional stage, film, and television actors, a cardiac surgeon, academics, stylists, fashion and jewelry designers, business professionals, ex-bureaucrats, exporters, young entrepreneurs, IT specialists, and students.

“Initially, I had staged the play as an experiment at the amphitheatre on my terrace. It was so well received by the audience that I decided to stage it on a bigger platform for a larger audience,” Sarita revealed. Following its successful experimental run, subsequent shows delighted audiences at the capital’s National Rail Museum auditorium and the India International Centre.

Sarita Vohra’s extensive career includes writing, producing, and directing over 150 musical plays for both children and adults. Her work is characterized by a unique blend of English, Hindi, Punjabi, and Urdu. Her impactful journey has seen her collaborate with street and slum dwellers in Mumbai and Delhi, and she has conducted transformative theatre workshops for undertrials at Tihar Jail, empowering them to envision brighter futures. In 1988, she pioneered the innovative concept of informal theatre, ‘Living Room Theatre,’ primarily for children, operating from her colonial bungalow’s living room in Mumbai’s Colaba. After relocating to Delhi in 2000, she initially led numerous drama workshops for children at various schools and the India Habitat Centre.

In 2003, she penned and directed her first adult play, ’75 Not Out,’ in collaboration with HelpAge India. Over the years, Living Room Theatre’s productions have consistently aimed to ignite awareness about pressing social issues, including pollution, environmental concerns, the turbulence in the Kashmir valley, elder care, complex relationships set against the backdrop of troubled Punjab, the impacts of globalization, and efforts to improve the quality of life for those affected by Thalassemia, Alzheimer’s, cancer, HIV/AIDS, multiple sclerosis, autism, and depression.